BETA might be pushing the line that its new 350cc enduro model is simply 'the play bike' but the 350RR is far from just a machine capable of going out to have a play in the dirt.

Its capabilities reach far higher than mere play.

The Italian manufacturer is well known for its trials and scooters, especially overseas but has yet to gain any real foothold in Australia. T
rying to take a piece of off-road pie from some of the larger and maybe more well known companies is no easy task, but the 350RR has the 'cred' to cut right into that slice. Overall its four stroke range of enduro bikes is well stacked to cover a variety of riders and riding levels, especially the 350RR which is the right capacity for the fast growing mid-sized enduro market in Australia, and indeed the rest of the world. 

Engine
New for 2012, the 350RR receives an upgrade to the camshaft bridge along with clutch components to increase durability of the motor. To further the longevity of the 349cc engine which features a bore of 88 millimetres and a stroke of 57.4 millimetres are two oil pumps which supply the lifeblood lubricant to separate parts of the engine. One pump feeds oil to the engine, while the second supplies oil to the transmission. Also new for 2012 are new fuel tank shrouds, front and rear guards, headlight shroud and fork protectors. The frame also sees an upgrade with extra gussets and an increase in diameter of the lower frame tubes to improve stability and reduce flex.
The upgrades and improvements don't just finish there as the brakes, clutch, suspension and exhaust all receive the treatment as well, but that will be covered shortly.
As with many enduro bikes these days, firing the Beta 350 RR (Race Replica) is a mere case of turning on the fuel tap for the Keihin FCR-MX-39 carby and hitting the starter, which worked sweetly the entire time we had the bike. Beta hasn't gone down the fuel injection route as yet but there were no fuelling issues. Idling over quite sweetly, the 350 RR produces a clean and crisp exhaust note, thanks no doubt to the new exhaust.

The new Brembo adjustable hydraulic clutch engages the transmission with a positive feel and its off and cracking. Powering up through the six speed transmission the 350 RR dishes out a smooth yet strong delivery of power, which would keep a smile on but the harshest of critics. It's not aggressive but progressive right into the very top end of the rev range, where power finally flattens out. Of course there's no real need to rev the bike this hard, as max power is made before you hit the limiter, and besides the trees are whipping past at a rapid rate.
Low down torque is also strong too, so you can be a bit on the lazy side without the fear of stalling or bogging the motor down.

Those who are used to riding a 250cc four-stroke will love this aspect of the 350 RR, as it takes much of the hard work out of sticky and snotty situations. If there is one little criticism, after stalling on a hill the bike was a little slow to wind over on the starter while in gear with the clutch pulled in, but that is only a minor point. Whether you are going flat out through the trees or working hard in the tight stuff, the average rider will feel right at home in regards to seat, 'peg and handlebar positioning. An easy transition is made from sitting to standing and you can really get your weight well forward when required.

Suspension and the restIt's fine to have plenty of usable power on tap but it has to work well with both the suspension and braking systems to be a complete package and be competitive in the enduro market. Beta has certainly not skimped in either of those areas.
Front suspension has been supplied by Sachs, which has developed the 48mm USD forks specifically for Beta, and features TFX anti stiction technology.
Of course the forks are completely adjustable with compression and rebound adjustment, and are easily set up to a rider's ability. The forks certainly felt firm yet progressive and not too harsh, no doubt thanks to the above mentioned technology and the harder you pushed the better they felt. The steering was not compromised either as the 350 RR was a good turner in the tight stuff, but steered equally as well across high speed trails and through rocky and rutted areas. For those stepping up from a smaller capacity bike, you may notice some additional weight, with the 350 RR tipping the scales at 114.5kg dry.
It might sound heavy and did in fact feel heavier to push around than a couple of other featherweights we had in the Cycle Torque shed at the same time, but it is well balanced and really not any major issue, other than you noticing it a little in tight terrain.

On the rear, suspension is again handled by an adjustable Sachs shock, which features high and low speed compression damping and adjustable rebound. We found it to be compliant across all terrain other than the odd kick on square edged bumps every now and then. We are sure that with more play time and a little more fine tuning with the suspension, this would be a mere blip on the radar though.

2012 sees the 350 RR receive new disc rotors with a 260mm floating front rotor clamped by a Nissin double piston caliper, while on the rear a 240mm single piston floating Nissin caliper handles the job.
The brakes are well matched with the front being progressive and strong and we really liked how well it worked and felt, and while the back end doesn't receive the accolades accredited to the front, it works very efficiently.
In true European style there are a number of small yet very nice touches which make the 350 RR very easy to live with. Integrated grab handles within the rear guard and seat junction allow the rider to grab hold of the rear end and move it without any major fuss, even if it's to drag it across the back of a ute or get it on a stand.
We especially liked the tool-less removal of the seat whereby the push of the sprung button, the seat lifts and exposes the battery and air filter, and it's these little things that can make a difference to the everyday trail rider and racer alike.

Verdict
Beta's 350 RR is certainly a very good trail bike and it is starting to makes its mark on the podium both locally and around the world. For riders looking for a bit more power than a 250cc machine and who don't want to step up to a more aggressive 450cc, this capacity machine really does hit the mark.
And if you intend to throw it into the deep end of competition, or simply trick it up, there are a host of components available from your Beta dealer to make your bike a standout. Unless you are specifically after a larger capacity off road weapon, the 350 RR can cater to most riders needs whether they are an average punter or someone blazing a swathe through an enduro competition.
A 350 RR will cost you $11,990 and Beta makes three other enduro models; 400, 450, 498, with the price going up slightly as the capacity increases. Warranty is six months parts and labour, unless you are subjecting it to race use of course.